Electromagnetic relay



March 25, 1941. 5 WOOD 2,235,861

ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY Filed April 24, 1939 F/e. H 2

mvzzmon FREDR/C E. W000 MfiJA M MM AT ORNE S. l

Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ciated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 24,

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to relays and, mor particularly, to electromagnetic switching relays.

An electromagnetic switching relay conventionally comprises a field structure including a core provided with a winding, a movable arma-. ture carried by the field structure, and a set of switch springs operaltively associated with the armature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved relay of the type described which is of rugged and economical construction and which is reliable and positive in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a relay of the type described including a pivotally mounted armature and a number of sets of switch springs operatively associated therewith, an improved arrangement for adjusting the operating positions of the sets of switch springs with respect to each other and for adjusting the operating stroke of the armature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relay of the type described including an improved knife-edged mounting for the armature thereof.

In brief, the objects set forth above are in part realized in accordance with one feature of the present invention by providing an electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element and an armature having a body portion operatively associated with the field element, the armature being pivotally mounted adjacent the end of the field element and provided with first, second and third operating arms extending longitudinally along the field element. First and second sets of switch springs are carried by the field element and respectively operatively associated with the first and second operating arms of the armature. The armature is so constructed and arranged that the first and second operating arms thereof are independently adjustable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate relative adjustment of the operating positions of the first and second sets of switch springs and that the third operating arm thereof is independently adjustable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate adjustment of the operating stroke of the body portion of the armature. More particularly, the armature is so constructed and arranged that th first, second and third operating arms thereof are independently bendable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to effect the adjustments previously referred to.

In accordance with another feature of the in- 1939, Serial No. 269,690

venti-on, the armature has a substantially L-shape and includes a body portion and an operating portion disposed in angular relationship; and means is provided including two laterally spacedapart supports carried by the field clement ad- Jacent the end thereof and respectively provided with laterally extending knife-edges engaging the knee of the armature for pivotally mounting the armature on the field element. Also, a member is carried by the field element adjacent the end thereof and disposed inte'miediate the laterally spaced-apart supports, the knee of the armature having an opening therein and the member projecting through, the opening provided in the knee of the armature. Resilient means is disposed between the member and the knee of the armatur for retaining the armature in place on the knife-edges provided on the supports. More specifically, the member projecting through the opening provided in the knee of the armature has a head on the outer end thereof; and the resilient means comprises a leaf spring disposed between the head of the member and the armature. The leaf spring is provided with laterally spaced-apart portions engaging the knee of the armature at laterally spaced-apart points disposed in alignment with the knife-edges provided on the laterally spaced-apart supports, thereby to retain the knee of the armature in place on the knife-edges provided on the supp rts.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of an electromagnetic switching relay constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the field element of th relay, illustrating the construction and arrangement of the knife-edged supports for mounting the armature of the relay; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the armature of the relay. 5

Referring now more particularly to Figs. lto 3, inclusive, of the drawing, the electromagnetic switching relay there shown comprises a field structure including a longitudinally extending core element It) provided with a winding H, a u

longitudinally extending field element I2 having a laterally extending portion l3 secured to one end of the core element =|ll by a screw N, and a movable armature IS. The armature I5 comprises a one-piece substantially L shaped structure including a body portion I6 and an operating portion |1 disposed in'angulazr relationship, a knee |8 being provided between the body portion l6 and the operating portion ll.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, the armature I5 is pivotally mounted on the field element |2 adjacent the end thereof by an arrangement including two laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and carried by the field element |2 adjacent the end thereof, the supports l9 and 20 being provided with laterally extending knife-edges Ho and 20a, respectively, arranged in alignment with each other. Preferably, the supports l9 and 2|! are formed of steel and welded to the field element I2. Also, a member 2| is carried by the field element |2 adjacent the end thereof, the member 2| comprising a base portion 22 arranged in direct engagement with the upper surface of the field element I2 and an upwardly and outwardly extending body portion 23. Further, it is noted that the member 2| is arranged between the laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 20, the upwardly and outwardly extending body portion 23 thereof being disposed in an upwardly and outwardly extending plane passing through the laterally spaced-apart knife-edges |9a and 20a, respectively, carried by the laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 20. The member 2| is positioned with respect to the field element l2 by the laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 20 and by a tongue 24 formed integrally with the base portion 22 thereof and projecting through an opening 25 provided in the field element i2, Finally, the member 2| is securely retained in position by a screw 26 extending through an opening provided in the base portion 22 thereof and threaded into a tapped hole provided in the field element l2. Also, the member 2| is provided with a head 27 for a purpose more fully described subsequently.

An opening 28 is provided in the knee i8 of the armature I5 through which the body portion 23 of the member 2| projects, the head 21 of the member 2| being arranged in spaced relationship with respect to the knee l8 of the armature i5. Also, the knee l8 of the armature I5 is provided with two laterally extending bearing surfaces i841 and |8b disposed on opposite sides of the opening ZB'provided therein, which bearing surfaces respectively engage the laterally extending knifeedges |9a and 2011, respectively, provided on the laterally spaced-apart supports i9 and 2|l.' The laterally extending bearing surfaces Ma and i822 provided on the knee l8 of the armature i5 are retained in bearing engagements with the laterally extending knife-edges lila and 20a, respectively, provided on the laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 23 by an arrangement comprising a leaf spring 29 disposed between the head 2'! of the member 2| and the knee ll of the armature It. More particularly, the leaf spring 29 is provided with an opening therein through which the body portion 23 of the member 2| extends and two laterally spaced-apart portions 29a and 29b engaging the knee i8 of the armature |5at two laterally spaced-apart points disposed in alignment with the two laterally extending knifeedges |9ct and 20a, respectively, provided on the two laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 2d.

The operating portion H of the armature i5 comprises a centrally disposed operating arm 30 and two operating arms 3| and 32 disposed on either side thereof. First and second sets of as sociated switch springs 33 and 36, respectively, are carried by the field element l2 and operatively associated with the operating arms 3| and 32, respectively, of the operating portion H of the armature I5. As best shown in Fig. 3, the set of switch springs 33 comprises two cooperating indi vidual switch springs 35 and 36 arranged in superimposed relationship; and the set of switch springs 34 comprises two cooperating individual switch springs 37 and 38 arranged in superimposed relationship. Each of the switch springs comprises a base end and a free end and is provided with a cantilever mounting at its base end. 'Also, the switch springs are insulated from each other and from the field element l2 at their base ends. The arrangement for mounting and for insulating the base ends of the set of switch springs 33 comprises a base plate 39 carried by the field element I2, a clamping plate 4|] and a plurality of insulating strips 4| disposed between the base plate 39, the clamping plate 40 and the switch springs 35 and 36. Also, two screws 82 are provided which extend through aligned openings provided in the base plate 39, the clamping plate 40, the insulating strips ll and the switch springs 35 and 3B and are threaded into tapped holes provided in the field element i2. The arrangement for mounting and for insulating the base ends of the set of switch springs 34 is substantially identical to the arrangement for mounting and for insulating the base ends of the set of switch springs 33 and includes a clamping member 423, two screws 44, a base plate, not shown, carried by the field element l2, and a number of superimposed insulating strips, not shown.

Each of the switch springs 35 and 31 comprises a first switch spring; while each of the switch springs 36 and 38 comprises a second switch spring. The first switch springs are of identical construction; and the second switch springs are of identical construction; while the construction of each of the first switch springs is substantially similar to the construction of each of the second switch springs. Each of the first switch springs has an elongated eyelet formed therein adjacent the free end thereof while each of the second switch springs has a substantially Y- shaped configuration, whereby each of the switch springs comprises two elongated laterally spacedapart and independently flexible portions. The two flexible portions of the second switch spring 36 are arranged in superimposed relationship with respect to the two flexible portions of the first switch spring 36; and the two flexible portions of the second switch spring 38 are arranged in superimposed relationship with respect to the two flexible portions of the first switch spring 37. The two flexible portions of each of the switch springs carry two metallic contacts which are arranged in cooperating relationship with two metallic contacts carried by the two flexible portions of the associated switch spring. More particularly, each pair of the cooperating metallic contacts are arranged in crossing relationship, thereby to insure proper contact between the cooperating pairs of metallic contacts in spite of slight mechanical variations in the positions of the associated first and second switch springs.

In order to facilitate movement of the first switch springs 35 and 31 with respect to the respectively associated second switch springs and as, operating members t5 and 5155 are respectively secured to the first switch springs 35 and 3? adjacent the free ends thereof by driving screws 41 and 48, respectively. Preferably, the driving screws 41 and 48 are of the Parker-Kalon type; while the operating members and 46 are formed of an inactive organic insulating material such, for example, as a suitable cellulose acetate.

The Construction and arrangement of the switch springs, the operating members therefor, and the metallic contacts carried thereby are disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Fredric E. Wood, Serial No. 269,689, filed April 24, 1939.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the operating end of the operating member 45 carried by the first switch spring 35 is arranged in direct engaging relationship with the operating arm 31 of the armature l5; and the operating end of the operating member 46 carried by the first switch spring 31 is arranged in direct engaging relationship with the operating arm 32 of the armature l5.

Ihe first and second sets of switch springs 33 and 34, respectively, bias the armature [5 in a clockwise direction about the laterally extending knife-edges lQa and 20a, respectively, carried by the laterally spaced-apart supports it and 20, as viewed in Fig. 2, into a normal position. When the winding H is energized, the armature I5 is rotated about the laterally extending knife-edges 19a and 2011, respectively, carried by the laterally spaced-apart supports l9 and 20'in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby to cause the armature [5 to be moved from its normal position to an operated position. When the armature i5 is moved from its normal position to its operated position, the operating arms 3i and 32, respectively, engage the operating members 45 and 46, thereby to cause the first switch springs 35 and 31 to be bent toward the cooperatin second switch springs 36 and 38, respectively. More particularly, the two pairs of metallic contacts carried by the first set of switch springs 33 and the two pairs of metallic contacts carried by the second set of switch springs 34 are moved into respective engagemerits.

An arrangement is provided for preventing the body portion I6 of the armature I5 from sticking to the end of the core element l0 due to the residual electromagnetic forces therebetween, which comprises an adjustable screw 49 arranged in threaded hole provided in the body portion ii of the armature l5 adjacent the end of the core element ill, the screw 49 being formed of a nonmagnetic material, such as brass. Further,- more, a locking nut 53 is arranged in threaded engagement with the screw 49 in order to lock the screw in any desired adjusted position. Also, an arrangement is provided for preventing the operating portion ll of the armature 15 from sticking to the adjacent portion of the outer sur face of the field element it, which comprises a stud 5| arranged in an opening provided in the end of the centrally disposed operating 30 carried by the operating portion ll of the armature l5, which stud is formed of a nonmagnetic material, such as brass.

In order to facilitate adjustment of the operating stroke of the body portion ii of the armature IS, the centrally disposed operating arm 30 carried by the operating portion ll of the armature I5 is formed separately from the operating arms 3i and 32 carried by the operating portion 11 of the armature i5. More particularly, the central- 1y disposed operating arm 30 carried by the operating portion ii of the armature i5 is independently bendable relative to the body portion I6 of the armature noted. In order to facilitate relative adjustment of the operat ng positions of the first and second sets of switch springs 33 and 34, respectively, the operating arms 31 and 32 carried by the operating portion ll of the armature l5 are independently bendable relative to the body p rtion 16 of the armature Hi. It will be understood that the contact opening contact closing positions of the first and second sets of switch springs 33 and 34, respectively, may be independently and relatively adjusted by bending the operating arms 31 and 32, respectively, carried by the operating portion l! with respect to the body portion 16 of the armature l5.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that an improved electromagnetic switching relay is provided which is of rugged and economical construction and which is reliable and positive in operation.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element, an armature having a body portion operatively associated with said field element, said armature being pivotally mounted adjacent the end of said field element and provided with first, second and third operating arms extending longitudinally along said field element, and first and second sets of switch springs carried by said field element and respectively operatively associated with the first and second operating arms of said armature, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the first and second operating arms thereof are independently adjustable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate relative adjustment of the operating positions of said first and second sets of switch springs, and that the third operating arm thereof is independently adjustable relative to the body portion thereof, therebyto facilitate adjustment of the operating stroke of the body portion of said armature.

2. An electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element, a one-piece substantially L-shaped armature including a body portion and an operating portion disposed in angular relationship, the body portion of said armature being operatively associated with said field element and the operating portion of said armature being provided with first, second and third operating arms, said armature being pivotally mounted adjacent the end of said field element and the first, second and third operating arms thereof extending longitudinally along said field element, and first and second sets of switch springs carried by said field element and respectively operatively associated with the first and second operating arms of said armature, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the first and second operating arms thereof are independently bendable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate relative adjustment of the operating positions of said first and second sets of switch springs, and that the third operating arm thereof. is independently bendable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate adjustment of the operating stroke of the body portion of said armature.

3. An electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element, a substantially L-shaped armature including a body portion and an operating portion disposed in angular relationship, means including two laterally spaced-apart supporting blocks respectively provided with bases secured to said field element by fused metal adjacent the end thereof and respectively provided with laterally extending knife-edges engaging the knee of said armature for pivotally mounting said armature on said field element, a set of contacts, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the body portion thereof is operatively associated with said field element and that the operating portion thereof is operatively associated with said set of contacts, the knee of said armature having an opening provided therein, a member provided with a base secured to said field element adjacent the end thereof and disposed intermediate said laterally spaced-apart supporting blocks, said member having a body portion projecting through the opening provided in the knee of said armature and having a head on the outer end thereof, and resilient means disposed between the head of said member and said armature and engaging the knee of said armature at laterally spaced-apart points respectively disposed substantially in alignment with the centers of the knife-edges provided on said laterally spaced apart supporting blocks for retaining the knee of said armature in place on the knife-edges provided on said supporting blocks.

4. An electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element, a substantially L-shaped armature including a body portion and an operating portion disposed in angular relationship, means including two laterally spaced-apart supporting blocks respectively provided with bases secured to said field element by fused metal adjacent the end thereof and respectively provided with laterally extending knifeedges engaging the knee of said armature for pivotally mounting said armature on said field element, a set of contacts, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the body portion thereof is operatively associated with said field element and that the operating portion thereof is operatively associated with said set of contacts, the knee of said armature having an opening provided therein, a member provided with a base secured to said field element adjacent the end thereof and disposed intermediate said laterally spaced-apart supporting blocks, said member having a body portion projecting through the opening provided in the knee of said armature and having a head on the outer end thereof, and means including a laterally extending leaf spring disposed between the head of said member and said armature and provided with laterally spacedapart portions engaging the knee of said armature at laterally spaced-apart points respectively disposed substantially in alignment with the centers of the knife-edges provided on said laterally spaced-apart supporting blocks for retaining the knee of said armature in place on the knife-edges provided on said supporting blocks.

5. An electromagnetic relay comprising a longitudinally extending field element, an armature having a body portion operatively associated with said field element, said armature being pivotally mounted adjacent the end of said field element and provided with first and second operating arms extending longitudinally along said field element, and a set of switch springs carried by said field element and operatively associated with said first operating arm of said armature, said armature being so constructed and arranged that the first operating arm thereof is independentiy bendable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate adjustment of the operating position of said set of switch springs, and that the second operating arm thereof is independently bendable relative to the body portion thereof, thereby to facilitate adjustment of the operating stroke of the body portion of said armature.

FREDRIC E. WOOD. 

